Most of the time, the low rumble of motorcycle engines brings to mind the ugly stereotypes associated with those who take to the road with leather and Harley Davidson logos.

That's not the case with these guys.

They are called Rolling Thunder and chances are that you've seen them before, either at demonstrations or at the funerals of fallen soldiers. But while Rolling Thunder is known for arriving at their destination on two wheels, they are not a motorcycle club, but rather a POW/MIA public awareness veteran service organization.

You also do not have to be a veteran to join the group and membership is open to everyone over the age of 18.

The organization began in 1987 after two Vietnam veterans, Artie Muller and Ray Manzo met to talk about their worries for the soldiers who were prisoners of war [POW's] and missing in action [MIA's] from that conflict. The pair were upset that their brothers in arms were left behind by those who sent them to war in the first place.

At the time, there were more than 10,000 reported sightings of Americans still alive in captivity in Southeast Asia, but these reports were mostly ignored by the media and government.

Organizing a march for the 1988 Memorial Day celebration in Washington D.C., the two vets, along with family, friends and fellow veterans totaling 2,500 arrived in the nation's capital with the roar of their Harley Davidsons.

"Rolling Thunder" was the name of the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam and it was decided that would be the name of the group as well. Since that first demonstration, Rolling Thunder has been involved in calling for a full report on all POW/MIA's - from World War 1 until the current war on terrorism.

Now 20 years later, Rolling Thunder is a nationwide organization, with more than 80 chapters around the country representing 7,000 members, a huge increase from the original 50 charter members in 1996.

Aside from the Memorial Day activities, Rolling Thunder are active all year round, promoting laws that would increase veteran's benefits and resolve the POW/MIA issue. They also give their time food and clothing to veterans and their local communities throughout the year.

Chapters around the country make monthly meetings to their local Veterans Administration hospitals, nursing homes and wards for those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Rolling Thunder is also actively involved with the VA's Center of Recovery Empowerment, along with a homeless veteran program being promoted by Heather French-Henry, Miss America 2000.

Members speak to youth at area schools, scouting program and other events to educate kids about the human factor of war and the POW/MIA issue. The national organization has helped out with financial support to disabled veteran and their families who are not getting full compensation from the VA.

One other task that Rolling Thunder undertakes is protecting family members of fallen soldiers from protesters, namely representatives of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, who claim that soldiers are dying due to God's punishment for America's stand on gay rights.

The Westboro group showed up at the funeral for Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Adam Bishop of Dickson in May and Rolling Thunder drowned out the protest by revving their motorcycle engines each time they tried to speak.

Tennessee now has five chapters and more than 450 members, which grows every month. The state's five chapters also host and annual run to focus on the POW/MIA issue as well as charitable causes for veterans.

Membership meetings are held at the VFW Post 8422 at 10157 Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna on the 4th Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Jim Phillipson at (931) 703-6343 or e-mail him at jimbob@cafes.net